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Project Information Unlocking the Potential for Groundwater for the Poor (UPGro)  Aims: To enable developing countries in SSA to use groundwater in a sustainable way to benefit the poor

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Project Information cont. Research Issues  Where GW, how and at what rate is it recharged, and how can it be more effectively and efficiently abstracted to meet local needs?  What is the state of the resource – quantity & quality; how will it respond to abstraction, impact of growing population, climate change, etc.?  What governance arrangements are needed to support this access in an inclusive and sustainable way, and in particular to reach the poorest and most marginalised groups?

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Project Information cont. Funding  Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) & Department for International Development (DFID)- UK  7-year international research programme - First Phase: Catalyst grant - Second Phase: Implementation of Main Project

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Project Information cont.  Aim: To enable sustainable development of accessible (shallow) groundwater for small-scale irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa  Concept: is that ‘accessibility’ is more important than aquifer potential  Working definition: Depth to groundwater should be less than 25 meters

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Introduction cont.  UER is located in the Sudan- savannah climate zone and can be described as semi-arid  Rainfall pattern is mono-modal with distinct wet (May-Sept/Oct) and dry (Nov-April)seasons  Rainfall is characterized by high temporal and spatial variability  Dry spells during rainy season  Mounting evidence of Climate variability and change  GW offers a more food secure alternative to rain-fed farming Climate - UER Long-term mean rainfall, PET and temperature at Bolgatanga (UER)

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Shallow groundwater Irrigation  Major uses of groundwater in the UER  SGI is categorized as informal irrigation, mainly during dry season  low-lying areas such as flood plains, alluvial channels and valley bottoms where the water table is high  Manually tapped using simple tools & indigenous knowledge  Hand-dug wells usually less than 10 m deep

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Shallow groundwater Irrigation cont.  Water is lifted & distributed using : rope and bucket/ container, &motorized pumps  Many farmers have 2 or more wells  Farm sizes ranges between ha  Major Crops: tomatoes, onions, pepper, leafy vegetables  Farmers usually do not own the land; have some arrangements with landowners that allow them to cultivate